Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 1

Written Answers - Garda Deployment.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

284 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total cost of overtime paid to gardaí in 1998; the amount of this paid to gardaí preparing for or attending court cases; the proposals, if any, he has to address the amount of Garda time wasted in preparing for and attending court on minor offences that could be dealt with summarily by more extensive use of the system of on the spot fines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3440/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The total cost of overtime paid to the gardaí in 1998 was £50.3 million, including a payment of £6.2 million arrears under the Garda pay deal. Approximately 14 per cent (i.e £7 million) was incurred in respect of court attendance by gardaí.

Developments in the legislative area that will, in the long-term, reduce the number of hours spent by gardaí attending court are currently being implemented. I refer in particular to section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act, 1997. This provides that evidence of arrest, charge and caution can be presented by a court sergeant by way of certificate prepared by the garda who effected the arrest. This certificate is presented to the initial court hearing. It applies to offences where the accused is arrested.

A very large number of minor offences relate to matters addressed by the Road Traffic Act. The introduction of fines on the spot (for speeding, parking and non-display of disc offences) and the vehicle rectification scheme has reduced the need to bring court proceedings in a significant number of cases and this has implications for the amount of Garda time spent in court. The extension of fines on the spot for road traffic offences is a matter for the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. On 1 February 1999 he extended the scope of fines on the spot to include those offences recommended by the national strategy on road safety. The offences in question are non-wearing of seat belts, stop-yield infringements, box junction violations and defective tyres.